Zaha pens pro deal

Teenage striker Wilfred Zaha has signed a two-year professional contract with Crystal Palace.

Last Updated: 08/04/10 6:53pm

Teenage striker Wilfred Zaha has signed a two-year professional contract with Crystal Palace.

The 17-year-old recently made his senior bow for the Eagles in a 2-1 defeat to Cardiff.

He has been awarded a new deal after impressing Paul Hart in training, while fellow academy graduates Jerry Nnamani, Jack Holland, Charlie Holness, Kyle De Silva, Alex Wynter and Jon Williams have also been offered professional terms.

Youth boss David Moss said: "Since I have been here the quality of young players that have emerged from this academy has been nothing short of astounding and this next crop are no different."

Meanwhile, John Pemberton, Palace's assistant manager, is set to leave the club at the end of the season after agreeing to become Sheffield United's new academy boss.

The 45-year-old is on a short-term deal at Selhurst Park, having been drafted in by Hart when he succeeded Neil Warnock, and will take up his new post on 4th May.

A statement from the Blades read: "As our future depends on successful youth development we believe that John's enthusiasm, ambition and new ideas will help drive it to new heights."